This is my own design idea for General Zod that I call the Kryptonian Imperial Guard Commander. I think it’s a fitting title for this look. I took the very regal looking Mr. Sinister base figure and added a cape from Marvel Select Loki. I repainted everything but kept the red of the original figure’s eyes for a heat vision effect.

I sculpted and painted his Kryptonian “Z” symbol based on the art of Jim Lee’s Zod (see art image below). Some comics have shown Zod in a grey and black outfit, so I also used those colors. The V shaped neckline and facial hair are similar to what he had in the Superman I and II movies.

The style of the suit is loosely based on the ones in the Man of Steel movie. He and his crew wore black capes, armor and body suits. I’ve always liked the concept of others from Krypton having suits comparable to Superman’s but with slight differences in form or color.

I almost entered this in the Super Clones custom contest but decided on 3 other characters instead (my 3 customs before this one). Besides, Zod’s not really a Superman imitator.

General Zod is a militant leader with ties to Superman’s own past, kind of like a Red Skull or a Darth Vader type of an adversary. His battles with Superman are always epic. The General’s uniform has been reinvented time and time again in movies, TV, comics and video games. Now here’s another one. “Kneel before ZOD!”